THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA Illustrated. In Four Volumes. Volume Two: E-J. Fully Revised. 1175 pages, 1982. Eerdmans Publishing Co. $35.00. Reviewed by John Vander Ploeg.

Its reputation being clearly established as a scholarly reference for well over three score years, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) is definitely a must for the library of every minister, Bible teacher, and others who engage in more than casual Bible study. For this reviewer, the original five-volume edition has done yeoman’s service during more than fifty years in the ministry. Replete with information, this old standby has articles on every person and place mentioned in Scripture as well as on all terms of theological or ethical significance.

First published in 1915 by The Howard Severance Company, the ISBE had as its General Editor the Scottish theologian, James Orr. Last revised in 1929 after more than fifteen years of extensive rewriting and careful editing , this work is now being published by Eerdmans in four attractive volumes. Volume I appeared in the fall of 1979 and Volume II is now available. Volume III and IV are scheduled to be released upon the completion of their revision.

General Editor of this fully revised ISBE is Geoffrey W. Bromiley, Emeritus Professor of Church History and Historical Theology (Fuller Theological Seminary) and translator of numerous theological works, including the nine-volume Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (“Kittel”).

Among the hundreds of contributors to this monumental work are the following affiliated with the CRC: Andrew J. Bandstra, Paul L. Bremer, James Daane, David E. Holwerda, Fred H. Klooster, the late Edwin H. Palmer, Lewis B. Smedes, John

H. Stek, Bastiaan Van Elderen, Allen D. Verhey, and Sierd Woudstra. Names of other contributors more or less familiar to readers of this journal are F. F. Bruce, Caspar W. Hodge, John Murray, B. B. Warfield, Herman N. Ridderbos, and Marchienne V. Rienstra.

Previously the ISBE included and in this newly revised edition also includes contributions by B. B. Warfield and G. W. Bromiley, both committed to the inerrancy of Scripture. But now, in this new edition—unfortunately, in the judgment of this reviewer—an article is also included that denies that the Bible is infallible in toto. Says James Daane, in his contribution on Infallibility: “The Scriptures clearly indicate that their specific purpose, within which their claims of infallibility, authority, and trustworthiness coincide, (italics added) is to utter that sure Word of God that alone contains all that mankind needs to know about doctrine and life in order to be saved.”

So—if you ask about the position of the newly revised ISBE on Scripture, the answer is that it all depends on whose contributions you are reading. Although—regardless of its cost this work is one the well–read Bible student cannot afford to be without—nevertheless, it is not amiss to attach a caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) to an otherwise enthusiastic recommendation of this outstanding publication.

Over 360 photographs (including 47 color plates) and 70 maps enhance the value of this second volume of the updated and newly revised ISBE.

BOOKS RECEIVED FOR REVIEW

THE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ NEW TESTAMENT: A Critical Analysis of the N ew World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, by Robert H. Countess, Presbyterian and Reformed, 1982, 136 pp. paper, $5.95.

PICKING UP THE PIECES, by Clyde Colvin Besson, Mott Media, 1982, 209 pp ., paper, $5.95.

LIVING MESSAGES OF THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE, by G. Campbell Morgan, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1912!1982, 301 pp., hardcover, $12.95.

FOUNDATIONS OF DOGMATICS, Vol. 1, by Otto Weber, Eerdmans, 1981,659 pp., hardcover, $27.00.